Foundation garment



Feb. 18, 1964 M. LAGUZZl 3,121,428

FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed Jan. 12, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR-ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 18, 1964 M. LAGUZZl 3,121,428

FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed Jan. 12, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT'OR.

MAB/0 40022 ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 18, 1964 LAGUZZ] 3,121,428

FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed Jan. 12, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR- Ame/0ZAGZ/ZZ/ ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,121,428 FOUNDATION GARMENT Mario Laguzzi, LongIsland City, N.Y., assignor to Poirette Corsets IENL, New York, N.Y.

Filed Jan. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 165,766 8 Claims. (Cl. 128-548) Thisinvention relates to a foundation garment such as a girdle or the like,and has as its primary object the provision of an improved garment ofthis nature characterized by diagonally disposed reinforcing bandshaving a reinforcing section integral with the adjacent section which itserves to reinforce.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a garment of thischaracter wherein the front and back panels or, alternatively, the sidepanels, are provided with diagonal reinforcing bands with the panels socut as to enable them to be folded back upon themselves together withtheir associated reinforcing bands in such manner as to provide diagonalreinforcement in an opposite direction at the points of greatest stress.

An additional and more specific object of the invention is the provisionof a garment of this character wherein the front panel, illustratively,or the back and/or side panels, are cut from a single piece having oneor more diagonally disposed elasticized reinforcing bands extendingthereacross and provided with a fold line at an intermediate point ofthe panel, which when reverted back upon the panel, disposes the ends ofthe diagonal bands in a direction at an angle to the original bands, thetwo portions of the panel then being sewn together along the fold line.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision ofa garment of this character which may be made simply, economically, andrapidly to provide a garment with a combination of reinforcing diagonalbands and a self-reinforcing elastic section.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a garment of thischaracter provided with means for reinforcing not only the front of thegarment but providing additional support throughout the rest of thegarment by the placing of the bands either at the rear or on the sidesas well as in the front.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a garment ofthis character which is attractive in appearance, which provides maximumreinforcement at any or all of a plurality of desired points and whichat the same time permits maximum freedom of movement to the wearer withmaximum comfort and lack of binding.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangementsof parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fullypointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawingswherein there are shown preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of one form of foundation garmentconstructed in accordance with the instant invention, the garment beingturned inside out.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view or plan of the inner side of one of thepanels employed in the manufacture of the garment of FIGURE 1 shownbefore folding.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along theline 3-3 of FIGURE 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a front view showing a modified form of construction.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of one of the panels em ployed in the garment ofFIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a front View disclosing the reinforcing at the sides of thegarment rather than the front.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of one of the panels of the garment of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a rear view of the garment of FIGURE 6 FIGURE 9 is a planview of one of the panels of the structure of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 showing a still further modifiedform of garment wherein the reinforcing strips run in a differentdirection; and

FIGURE 11 is a plan view of one of the panels of the construction ofFIGURE 8.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified elastic bandconstruction.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, and more particularly toFIGURES 1 to 3, inclusive, there is generally indicated at 20 afoundation garment constructed in accordance with the instant invention.The garment comprises a pair of substantially identical elastic panels21 and 22, the panels being substantially mirror images of each other.One of these panels 21 is disclosed in FIGURE 2. The panel 21 is formedwith an arcuate side 23 to which is attached a similar or identical rearpanel. An inclined top edge 23' terminates in an offset portion 24 whichincludes an ornamentally designed arcuate projecting tongue 25 whichterminates in an extremity 26 and then taper-s as at 27 and 28 in a pairof curves to an arcuate upwardly inclined bottom edge 29. In thismodification of the invention a pair of diagonally disposed elasticbands 30 and 31 extend respectively from a point 32 adjacent the side ofthe top edge to a point 33 adjacent the lower edge of arcuate section27, and, in the case of band 31, from a point 34 adjacent the top of thearcuate curved side edge to a relatively central point 35 in the middleof the curved edge 28. Suitable stitching 36 which may be of the zigzagvariety extends along each edge of each band. A fold line 37 extendsfrom a point adjacent the offset portion 24 on the top edge 23' in astraight line downwardly to a point 39 on the bottom edge 29. When it isdesired to assemble the garment, the tongue terminating in the extremity26 is reverted along the fold line 37 so that the portions 3% and 31a ofbands 30 and 31 extend diagonally in substantially perpendicularrelation to the main body portions 30 and 31 of these panels, as bestseen in FIGURE 1.

There is thus provided a center panel having cross reinforcement at thepoint of greatest stress, as for example, in the center of the abdomenin the case of the front panel, as best shown in FIGURE 1. The twopanels 21 and 22 are then stitched together along their juxtaposed foldlines 37, and the reverted portion terminating in the extremity 26 issewn to the front of the body of the garment in any desired conventionalmanner.

A suitable elastic top binding 43 may be provided in the conventionalmanner, as may a bottom binding 41, the latter being provided with theusual garter tabs 42. A garment constructed in accordance with the abovedisclosure may have a substantially solid elastic rear panel, of onepiece, or of two pieces stitched together along a center line 43 (seeFIG. 1) or, alternatively, may have a rear section which is constructedin an identical manner, the arrangement being such in this modificationof the invention that the diagonal reinforcing bands extend downwardlyfrom a point substantially adjacent the top of the garment to the centerof the front or rear as the case may be, and thence are reverted attheir point of juncture with the corresponding bands of the oppositepanel to extend in a diagonal downward and outward direction to providemaximum reinforcement at the points of greater stress. Since the panels21 and 22 are sub- 3 stantially identical except as above stated thatthey are mirror images, the same reference characters are employed onboth panels in FEGURE 1.

FIGURES 4 and 5 disclose a modified form of the invention wherein a pairof opposite panels 5% are each provided with a pair of diagonallyextending reinforcing bands 51 and 52 which extend beyond a fold line 53to form portions 51a and 52a in a projecting tongue 54 which is revertedback along the fold line 53 in the same manner as the garment previouslydescribed. The distinction in this modification over that of theprevious modification resides in the fact that in this modification thediagonal reinforcing bands extend from points toward the lower extremityof the garment around the hips upwardly toward the center of the abdomenand are then reinforced by the reversion of the diagonal strips in thesame manner as that of the previously described modification. It mayhere be pointed out that the bands 3% and 31 and/or 51 and 52 may bepositioned either on the external side of the garment or on the internalside of the garment. FIGURE 1, for example, shows the garment turnedinside out with the reinforcing band sewn to the inner side, whileFIGURE 4 shows the right side of the garment with the bands in theirrelative position being indicated in dotted lines.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show a still further modified form of constructionwherein a garment 64 is comprised of two side panels 61, with anornamental reinforcing design 62 positioned across the center line '63where the panels are joined. In this case each side panel is formed withdiagonal reinforcing strips 64 and 65 which extend beyond an arcuatefold line 66 as indicated at Ma and 65:: onto a projecting tongue 67.The tongue 67 is reverted and sewn to the body of the panel 61', andrear side panels of identical configuration are sewn along the sides ofthe garment to the fold line 66. in this instance, the diagonalreinforcement afforded by the strips 65a and 64a is provided at thesides of the garment rather than at the front or rear as in thepreviously described modification.

FIGURES 8 and 9 disclose the construction of the rear panels of thegarment of 'FEGURES 6 and 7, wherein the two rear side panels are joinedalong a line '78, and each rear panel comprises an elastic member '71including two diagonally stitched reinforcing elastic bands 72 and '73which have portions 72:: and 73a projecting beyond the arcuate fold line74' when folded. The position of the bands along the fold line isidentical to that described in connection with FIGURES 6 and 7, and thefold lines 66 and 74 are secured together to provide an arcuate sideportion with crossed reinforcing bands providing maximum support at thehips where in this instance such support is most desired.

FIGURES and 11 show a construction similar to that shown in FIGURES 6and 7 wherein two panels 89 are each provided with projecting tongues 81which eX- tend beyond the fold line 32. Diagonal bands '33 and 84 areprovided with end portions 83a and 84a on the projecting tongue which isreverted in the same manner as that of the previously describedmodification. These panels are stitched together along a center line 85provided with an ornamental reinforcement 85 as is conventional. In thismodification of the invention it is to be noted that the bands extendupwardly from the bottom of the garment toward the center thereof,rather than downwardly toward the center in a diagonal direction as inthe modifications of FIGURES 6 to 9. Obviously, the back panels of thisform of invention are identical to the front panels above described.

In FIGURE 12 there is disclosed a modified form of elastic bands whichmay be substituted for any of the bands 3'9, 31, 51, 52, 64, 65 or 83,'84. In this form of construction a slightly narrower band 9% isdisposed diagonally across the panel of the garment 91 and is securedthereto by a single line of zig-zag stitching 92, rather than a separateband of stitching along each marginal edge of the band as in theprevious modifications.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided animproved foundation garment which accomplishes all the objects of thisinvention, and others, including many advantages of great practicalutility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiments hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a foundation garment, the combination of a pair of identical butopposite elastic panels, at least one elastic reinforcing stripextending diagonally across the full extent of each panel, each panelbeing provided at an intermediate point with a substantially verticalfold line dividing the panel into a main panel and an extending tongue,with a portion of the strip extending across the tongues, each of thetongues being reverted along its associated fold line to dispose theextending portion of its associated strip in acute angled relation tothat portion of the strip extending across the main panel, said panelsbeing stitched together along said reverted fold lines whereby thecomposite garment portion is provided with a center section of doublethickness providing maximum resistance and characterized by revertedabutting elastic reinforcing strips extending symmetrically on oppositesides of said stitched together fold lines.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said pane-ls are front panels.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said panels are rear panels.

'4. The structure of claim l wherein two pairs of panels are provided,one pair comprising the rear of the garment and the other pair, thefront of the garment.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein two pairs of panels are provided,each pair comprising one side of the garment with the fold linesstitched together on the sides with the edges opposite the fold linesbeing stitched together at the center of the front and rear of thegarment.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least two strips are provided innon-parallel relation.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein the diagonal strips extend from apoint adjacent the top of the garment to a substantially central pointon said tongue.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein the diagonal strips extend from apoint adjacent the bottom of the garment to a substantially centralpoint on said tongue.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,632,165 Murdock Mar. 24, 1953 2,696,615 Laguzzi Dec. 14, 19542,803,822 Doyle Aug. 27, 1957 2,966,9l2 Murdock Ian. 3, 1961 3,044,471Morehouse July 17, 1962

1. IN A FOUNDATION GARMENT, THE COMBINATION OF A PAIR OF IDENTICAL BUTOPPOSITE ELASTIC PANELS, AT LEAST ONE ELASTIC REINFORCING STRIPEXTENDING DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE FULL EXTENT OF EACH PANEL, EACH PANELBEING PROVIDED AT AN INTERMEDIATE POINT WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALFOLD LINE DIVIDING THE PANEL INTO A MAIN PANEL AND AN EXTENDING TONGUE,WITH A PORTION OF THE STRIP EXTENDING ACROSS THE TONGUES, EACH OF THETONGUES BEING REVERTED ALONG ITS ASSOCIATED FOLD LINE TO DISPOSE THEEXTENDING PORTION OF ITS ASSOCIATED STRIP IN ACUTE ANGLED RELATION TOTHAT PORTION OF THE STRIP EXTENDING ACROSS THE MAIN PANEL, SAID PANELSBEING STITCHED TOGETHER ALONG SAID REVERTED FOLD LINES